UFC Vegas 4: Who is UFC newcomer, welterweight Jason Witt?
By Billy Peden
Who is UFC newcomer and late replacement welterweight Jason Witt?
Jason Witt, a veteran welterweight who has amassed a record of 17-5 on the regional fight circuit, is set to make his UFC debut Saturday night versus Takashi Sato on only two days’ notice. The Missouri native replaces Ramiz Brahimaj who was forced off the card after his cornermen tested positive for Coronavirus. Training out of powerhouse gym Glory MMA and Fitness under James Krause, Witt has been preparing for this breakout moment and knew 2020 was his year.
“The road map always leads to the UFC,” said Witt in an interview with MMAWeekly this past February. “That’s my goal and where I want to be. I’ve said for many years that I believe by 2020 I’ll be in the UFC.”
Now at 33 years young, Witt has the chance to make us all believers Saturday night at UFC Vegas 4.
How could Jason Witt upset Takashi Sato at UFC Vegas 4?
Sato enters the bout with a 15-3 record and is 1-1 in the UFC. In his UFC debut, he scored a second-round TKO of Ben Saunders, but Belal Muhammad submitted him at UFC 242 with a rear-naked choke. Though no fight at 170 in the UFC is easy, Sato is an interesting match-up for the late replacement.
Witt has submitted seven opponents leading up to his UFC debut, so it’s very possible the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt can take a page from Muhammad’s book and gets the fight to the floor where he has the advantage. If Sato is able to keep the fight standing using defensive footwork and his powerful jab, Witt might use his big punches to close the distance in order to tie up. It’s worth mentioning Sato tends to drop his guard (left hand) when firing the southpaw jab at his opponent, especially in the later rounds. This could leave a brief opening for Witt’s overhand right to connect in a big way.
No matter how this welterweight scrap goes at UFC Vegas 4, Witt is where he belongs.
Top 200 UFC fighters of all-time. dark. Next